Children are special at First Presbyterian Church.
One of our most important roles as a church is to make sure our children know that they are loved by God and loved by us. We teach children the fundamentals of the Christian faith through Sunday school, worship, Vacation Bible School, and mission projects. We also know that children possess an innate spirituality, so at the same time we as adults are teaching them, we are also learning from them.
Sunday School
From September to May, we have Sunday School for children kindergarten through 6th grade at 9am on Sunday morning. The class is taught by Pastor Suzanne. One of the joys of being a small church is that the children can have a direct relationship with the pastor.
The Sunday School class is located in the "Upper Room," the room above the pastor's office in the Fellowship Hall. The Upper Room has been specially prepared for the children to make it warm and inviting.
As children arrive, they remove their shoes, because this place is a holy place where we meet God. (Taking off their shoes is one of the things they like best.) The children sit in a circle on a rug in the center of the room for the gathering time. We light the Christ candle, to remind us that God is with us. And we light a votive candle for each child. If someone isn't there, we light their candle and say a pray for them. Pastor Suzanne shares the Bible passage that is the focus of the lesson.
After the gathering time, the children are able to go to different stations to do individual work. Stations include a sand station, a reading station, a journaling station, a world station, a gazing station, and an art station.
Then the children come back together as we finish up the lesson and sing a song.
If you would like to learn more about the curriculum we're using, click here to view several introductory videos.
Children in Worship
Children participate in worship in several ways. First of all, just by being in worship children learn to worship. They learn the songs, the prayers, and the flow of worship.
Secondly, we have a "Children's Message" every Sunday just for them (although the adults probably learn as much as the children do). Pastor Suzanne invites the children forward and shares with them about God, the Bible, the church, and mission.
On the first Sunday of the month, we have the First Sunday Collection, where we collect food, money, personal care items, and small household items for The Lord's Cupboard (food bank), Angel's Hands (thrift shop), and SEIDA (Southeastern Iowa Development Agency). At the end of the children's message, the children collect the items. The children love to do it, and remind us if we forget.
After the children's message, children are able to stay in worship with their parents, or go downstairs for activities with the nursery attendant, who is often a member of the church.
Occasionally, the children present a song during worship.
Vacation Bible School
First Presbyterian Church teams up with First Evangelical Lutheran Church and Drake Avenue Christian Church for a community Vacation Bible School the first week in August. About 50 kids, pre-school to sixth grade, get together for Bible classes, games, dinner, singing, and crafts. Last year our mission project was a Native American school, and we raised over $400. On the Sunday after VBS, the children sing in all three churches.
Live Nativity
The Centerville Chamber of Commerce sponsors a "Live Nativity" every year. The Live Nativity includes a children's choir, and non-speaking roles for angels, shepherds, etc. This is a great opportunity for children to "live out" the Christmas story.
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